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F-35 Uav
- Thread starter BarrettRC8
- Start date
I personally hate the idea of an all unmanned fleet... However as for capability gain. Without a pilot there is a ton of extra fuel that can be stored (weight savings plus the space if they made the removal permanant and used the pilot space for fuel storage). Plus not having a pilot means longer sorties (now with the added fuel).
Again, not defending it, I think its stupid. But those are the points that can be/will be made.
Again, not defending it, I think its stupid. But those are the points that can be/will be made.
I don't think it's useless. I doubt that that R&D money would be budgeted into the JSF program. Probably unsolicited research, which means Lockheed is footing the bill.
It seems to me that they're gambling that by offering an unmanned "option" on the JSF, the DoD would stick to the previously projected numbers for the JSF buy. According to the article they're worried that down the line, the JSF buy will get axed as UAV technology improves. OK, they've sealed the deal on what's already being called the last manned fighters that will ever be flown in the F-22 and F-35.
If they can come up with a cheap conversion kit, hopefully, down the line, if/when the DoD decides to scrap the manned fighter concept, they'll have this option ready to go. Even better, the DoD will also have plenty of F-35 airframes sitting around ready for what will likely be cheaper upgrades(relative to new UCAVs). And I imagine that having a pre-existing flight control software would make researching an unmanned version easier than for a brand new project.
This way they might even corner the market for unmanned combat vehicles as well.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-45 (Boeing-former JSF contender
)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Hawk (Northrop Grumman-former ATF(YF-23) contender)
See, the other big players in manned fighters already lost, acknowledged defeat, and moved on to unmanned vehicles. I think Lockheed is just seizing on what they see as an opportunity to corner the unmanned market as well.
Pretty ####ing smart, if you ask me.
Or at least...that's just my very uneducated, useless analysis of the situation.
It seems to me that they're gambling that by offering an unmanned "option" on the JSF, the DoD would stick to the previously projected numbers for the JSF buy. According to the article they're worried that down the line, the JSF buy will get axed as UAV technology improves. OK, they've sealed the deal on what's already being called the last manned fighters that will ever be flown in the F-22 and F-35.
If they can come up with a cheap conversion kit, hopefully, down the line, if/when the DoD decides to scrap the manned fighter concept, they'll have this option ready to go. Even better, the DoD will also have plenty of F-35 airframes sitting around ready for what will likely be cheaper upgrades(relative to new UCAVs). And I imagine that having a pre-existing flight control software would make researching an unmanned version easier than for a brand new project.
This way they might even corner the market for unmanned combat vehicles as well.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-45 (Boeing-former JSF contender
)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Hawk (Northrop Grumman-former ATF(YF-23) contender)
See, the other big players in manned fighters already lost, acknowledged defeat, and moved on to unmanned vehicles. I think Lockheed is just seizing on what they see as an opportunity to corner the unmanned market as well.
Pretty ####ing smart, if you ask me.
Or at least...that's just my very uneducated, useless analysis of the situation.
The problem is, putting a human in there negates most of the advantages of a UCAV. You now have to put in survivability elements that jack up the weight and price.
The whole point of UCAV's was that if you designed them from the ground up to not include a pilot, they could be cheaper and lighter than a comparable fighter. Start with a manned fighter, and you defeat the whole point.
Methinks they've been watching too much Stealth at lockheed. (Which I just watched with Annapolis in one sitting....ugh)
The whole point of UCAV's was that if you designed them from the ground up to not include a pilot, they could be cheaper and lighter than a comparable fighter. Start with a manned fighter, and you defeat the whole point.
Methinks they've been watching too much Stealth at lockheed. (Which I just watched with Annapolis in one sitting....ugh)
Like I said, it just seems like a pretty smart investment for Lockheed.
If it works out, they get to offer a pretty converison package down the road.
If it doesn't work out, they get institutional experience in developing unmanned technology...which it seems they'll have to get if they want to stay in the military aerospace business.
As for unmanned aircraft being cheaper...if this works out I would expect that a conversion could be cheaper than a UCAV project going from the ground up.
If it works out, they get to offer a pretty converison package down the road.
If it doesn't work out, they get institutional experience in developing unmanned technology...which it seems they'll have to get if they want to stay in the military aerospace business.
As for unmanned aircraft being cheaper...if this works out I would expect that a conversion could be cheaper than a UCAV project going from the ground up.
flysupertomcat
Jim told me I can buy Gaydar online
Oh man, I had a good laugh!
NavyLonghorn
Registered User
Where their are UAV's, their are UAV pilots.
Let me know how that goes boys.
Let me know how that goes boys.
There not Their.
winger
FNG
Unmanned drone versions of manned fighter a/c aren't new.
http://www.airshots.com/USAF QF-4/USAF QF-4EG.htm
Here are a bunch of good pictures of different fighter a/c drone conversions. While the possibility of unmanned employment obviously exists, it is, as mentioned above, not feasible on large scales. Almost every aspect of a manned fighter is designed with the human element in mind; from how it bears g-load (strongest in the z axis), to canopy placement (visibility), to systems (life support, HUD, displays, etc) The F-35 will, however, share the air with derivatives of the X-45, or similar UCAV system. I would venture to say that 99% of F35 sorties will be flown by meatbags such as us... however, we might be flying wing off of MAJ Johnny 5, USMC. I have also seen scenarios, mostly centered around the F-22 at present, where the UCAV functions as a flying missile rack, flying in spread with the manned lead, acquiring and engaging targets on command from the human aviator. Or pilot.
http://www.airshots.com/USAF QF-4/USAF QF-4EG.htm
Here are a bunch of good pictures of different fighter a/c drone conversions. While the possibility of unmanned employment obviously exists, it is, as mentioned above, not feasible on large scales. Almost every aspect of a manned fighter is designed with the human element in mind; from how it bears g-load (strongest in the z axis), to canopy placement (visibility), to systems (life support, HUD, displays, etc) The F-35 will, however, share the air with derivatives of the X-45, or similar UCAV system. I would venture to say that 99% of F35 sorties will be flown by meatbags such as us... however, we might be flying wing off of MAJ Johnny 5, USMC. I have also seen scenarios, mostly centered around the F-22 at present, where the UCAV functions as a flying missile rack, flying in spread with the manned lead, acquiring and engaging targets on command from the human aviator. Or pilot.
NavyLonghorn
Registered User
Thanks FlyNavy, I mean PropStop.
Don't hate.